I know that I always look at the score and sometimes do a little adding up of scores too. I know you shouldn't do that but it takes time to get out of that habit. I think that constant competition relieves the edge after a while and it might become less stressful the more you do it.

The only time I think the pressure will be really hard after then is in heavy pressure situations. Usually then, you will either rise up to the occasion or (for a lack of better words) choke.

I would think that if you are in this situation often, I would look into some type of meditation.

I know that I always look at the score and sometimes do a little adding up of scores too. I know you shouldn't do that but it takes time to get out of that habit. I think that constant competition relieves the edge after a while and it might become less stressful the more you do it.

The only time I think the pressure will be really hard after then is in heavy pressure situations. Usually then, you will either rise up to the occasion or (for a lack of better words) choke.

I would think that if you are in this situation often, I would look into some type of meditation.

thanks guys this was some great help

What I started doing to avoid this was just follow the person I'm after. I try not to look up at the score at all. I just try to take it one frame at a time and focus on striking in the frame I'm in. It sounds "oh cliche" but it works when I really need to focus.

mkee,

Longtime no hear my brotha.

I know, I've been around, still working on my game as usual. Work and tournaments thru the whole summer. Its been hectic.

I watch the team scores early thru midgame. I rarely watch my own score. I try to focus on one shot, the next one. I have often been reminded that it was the tenth, and I get another 2 shots. And, I have been surprised when others tell me I shot a good game.

In the sixth, I do look at my score and calculate what I can achieve to run the table. Then, I try to do it. And, focus on each shot.

I struggle with this. I still get a rush of adrenaline when that first game starts and it affects my shot. I struggle to try to keep my mind off the score and just execute but it is difficult. I am also guilty of figuring out what I will have if I strike out but only on bad games where I am trying to salvage a decent game out of a mess. I do not do it in good games.

This is something I need to work on, too.

A few weeks ago, I was practicing with a friend of mine. In our first game, I went on a hot streak and threw 4 strikes in a row. I was feeling great. Then I started thinking about what I needed to do to get to 200. I ended the game with a 169...a decent game for me, but it should have been much better.

Three games later, I started out doing poorly, but was just having a good time, talking to my friend, not really paying attention to the score. Late in the game, without realizing it (because I wasn't focusing on my score), I got hot again, and strung a few strikes together. Ended up with a 175. I ended up scoring better than I did the first game, even though I had a chance at a much better score the first game. It's because I started thinking about it and trying too hard.

Tuba,

It is very difficult to not think about. For some reason it seems like you tighten up and do things you would not normally do. The thing to do is just focus on executing your shots lie you know you can. Many times that is easier said then done though.